Sally Burke

Spinal Cord Stimulation

Strong and spirited, Sally Burke has been passionate about martial arts for almost three decades. But after advancing to a black belt in little more than 10 years, Sally found herself virtually crippled after developing a back problem that resulted in chronic, excruciating pain.

Chronic pain affects millions of people, including 90 million Americans, disabling more people than cancer and heart disease combined. Largely under-treated and misunderstood, chronic pain often follows an injury, surgery or a specific disease. In Sally's case, it may have been caused by exercise.

Sally's doctors exhausted many treatment options from cortisone shots to surgical procedures. Finally, a doctor suggested spinal cord stimulation using St. Jude Medical's Eon® Neurostimulation System. The implanted device sends mild electrical pulses to mask the nervous system's pain signals. The Eon System gives Sally's doctor the flexibility to configure, program and place the device to tailor and control therapy for a patient's unique situation.

Today, Sally's back pain is virtually gone, allowing her to compete in karate tournaments around the world and run a martial arts school for young children. The fourth-degree black belt and Taekwondo champion dreams of reaching the ultimate rank: master. With her resilience and perseverance, she is likely to one day be known as Master Sally Burke.